Bike Safety

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Bike Patrol

Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Bike Patrollers are on duty during operating hours to respond to injuries, answer questions and provide directions and guidance. Bike Patrollers are trained to respond to injuries and emergencies anywhere at the resort. The phone number for patrol dispatch is 406-862-2940. If the situation is life-threatening, call 911 immediately so Big Mountain Ambulance will be dispatched. We recommend carrying your cell phone with you when riding, in case of an emergency.

Notice to Riders, Parents and Guardians

Mountain Biking is a fun sport the entire family can enjoy. By taking safety precautions, risk of injury can be reduced. We offer a progression of trails to suit various ability levels. We suggest wearing full-face helmets, full-fingered gloves, and biking armor. A full-suspension downhill bike should be used on downhill trails. More challenging terrain features should not be attempted without the appropriate experience, skills and equipment. Our lift-accessed downhill trails are a different experience than cross country trails. Downhill biking requires constant physical and mental effort to maintain control. There are no green “easy” runs from the top of the mountain.

Age Policy

Children under 5 are not permitted on the lift-accessed Bike Park trails. We recommend that children under 12 are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Brake Policy

All bikes must have functioning brakes on each wheel. Coaster brakes/beach cruisers are not allowed on chairlifts. Disc brakes are recommended for adequate stopping power.

Shock Recommendation

Full suspension is recommended on lift-accessed trails. Make sure your suspension is tuned properly for your weight and ability. Downhill trails are designed for full-suspension mountain bikes due to the rocky/bumpy nature of the trails.

Helmets

Helmets are required on all trails. We recommend full-face helmets for downhill trails. Helmet rentals are available at Village Rentals.

Equipment and Clothing

Protective clothing and equipment is the best protection from injury. Full-face helmets, body armor and pads, full-fingered gloves, closed-toe/closed-heel shoes and long sleeves/pants are also recommended. Helmet and armor rentals are available at Village Rentals. Riders should use a properly-sized bike that allows you to stand over the seat of the bike with your feet flat on the ground. If you are not sure, please visit Village Rentals.

Lifts

Bikes are permitted on Chair 1 and Chair 10. Riders are responsible for loading their own bikes, but lift operators are available for assistance. A Bike Park Ticket is required for lift-accessed trails and can be purchased at the Lift Plaza Ticket Center, Base Lodge or Village Rentals.

Signage

All trails are marked with signs stating trail difficulty level. Similar to skiing, green trails are the easiest, blue are intermediate and black trails are expert-only. Please choose appropriate trails and stay within your ability. See the trail map for trail descriptions. Signs also mark road and hiking trail intersections. Be aware of road crossings and yield to all vehicles on the road. Stay on designated trails.

Know The Code, It’s Your Responsibility

Helmets are required on all trails and appropriate safety gear is recommended.

It is your responsibility to inspect the trails and features before use. Trail features vary in size and difficulty and change constantly due to weather, maintenance, usage, modifications and the time of day.

Always walk your bike through the Lift Plaza and base area of the resort including common areas and pedestrian walkways. Riding your bike in these areas will result in loss of riding privileges.

Maintain control at all times. It’s your responsibility to stop or avoid other riders, objects, debris and wildlife around you.

Yield to slower riders and yield to the rider below you. This is your responsibility, regardless of trail ratings.

Do not stop where you obstruct a trail, feature or are not visible to other riders approaching from above.

Report incidents to Bike Park staff. If you witness or are involved in a collision or accident please assist and report the incident in person or by calling 406-862-2940.

Keep off closed areas. Obey all signs and warnings.

Always stay on marked bike trails. Do not ride on ski trails, hiking trails or access roads unless marked as part of a bike trail.

Hiking or uphill mountain biking in the Bike Park on bike-specific trails is dangerous and not permitted.

Do not feed, provoke or approach wildlife.

Riding in the Whitefish Bike Park is just the start of the bike trail network in the Flathead Valley. From the cross-country family-friendly Whitefish Trail to the freeride scene at Spencer Lake, there are numerous options for days of riding. Check out Flathead Area Mountain Bikers for area maps.